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NTSB Report
December 12, 1992 · Cessna 172 · N54959
La Porte City, IA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
La Porte City, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N54959
Operator
Nichols Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA051
A LANDING WAS BEING ATTEMPTED ON A SNOW COVERED SOD AIRSTRIP WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE CIRCLED THE AIRSTRIP TO VISUALLY IDENTIFY THE LANDING AREA FROM THE AIR. FOLLOWING AERIAL MANEUVER PRACTICE THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRSTRIP TO LAND. INSTEAD OF ALIGNING WITH THE AIRSTRIP, HE LINED UP FOR THE LANDING OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY BETWEEN THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AND A FENCE. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED 8-10' DEEP SNOW ON TOUCHDOWN.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
A LANDING WAS BEING ATTEMPTED ON A SNOW COVERED SOD AIRSTRIP WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE CIRCLED THE AIRSTRIP TO VISUALLY IDENTIFY THE LANDING AREA FROM THE AIR. FOLLOWING AERIAL MANEUVER PRACTICE THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRSTRIP TO LAND. INSTEAD OF ALIGNING WITH THE AIRSTRIP, HE LINED UP FOR THE LANDING OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY BETWEEN THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AND A FENCE. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED 8-10' DEEP SNOW ON TOUCHDOWN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CST
Nearest AirportNICHOLS (0nm N)
Runway8
Runway Length2570 ft
Runway Width94 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN54959
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNichols Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 18 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC